President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to thoroughly investigate the finances of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Quest Times reports that the directive comes in the wake of a N585m scandal within the ministry, leading to the suspension of Minister Betta Edu.
In a statement titled ‘President Tinubu Suspends Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation from Office,’ Tinubu’s Special Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, announced the suspension and highlighted the ongoing probe into the alleged laundering of N37.1bn during the tenure of Edu’s predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq.
The Budget Office data reveals a N2.38tn budget for the ministry from 2020 to 2024. Following the presidential directive, the EFCC has summoned Edu to appear before its detectives today.
Moreover, President Tinubu has tasked the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, with conducting a comprehensive investigation into the financial transactions of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, along with its associated agencies.
Additionally, a panel led by Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, will conduct a detailed analysis of the financial structure of social investment programmes.
The objective is to reform institutions and programmes to benefit disadvantaged households and regain public confidence in the initiative.